Treprostinil production

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a novel method for preparing a synthetic intermediates for treprostinil. Also described are methods of preparing treprostinil comprising utilizing novel intermediates described herein as well as novel intermediates useful for synthesis prostacyclin derivatives, such as treprostinil.

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/151,465, filed Jun. 2, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/351,115 filed Jun. 3, 2010, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The present application relates to a process for producing prostacyclin derivatives, such as Treprostinil, and novel intermediate compounds useful in the process.

(+)-Treprostinil (also known as UT-15) is the active ingredient in Remodulin®, a commercial drug approved by FDA for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). It was first described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,075. Treprostinil is a stable analog of prostacyclin (PGI₂) belonging to a class of compounds known as benzindene prostacyclins, which are useful pharmaceutical compounds possessing activities such as platelet aggregation inhibition, gastric secretion reduction, lesion inhibition, and bronchodilation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,222 describes use of treprostinil for treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Treprostinil is approved for the intravenous as well as subcutaneous route, the latter avoiding potential septic events associated with continuous intravenous catheters. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,521,212 and 6,756,033 describe administration of treprostinil by inhalation for treatment of pulmonary hypertension, peripheral vascular disease and other diseases and conditions. U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,386 discloses administration of treprostinil for treating cancer such lung, liver, brain, pancreatic, kidney, prostate, breast, colon and head-neck cancer. U.S. patent application publication No. 2005/0165111 discloses treprostinil treatment of ischemic lesions. U.S. Pat. No. 7,199,157 discloses that treprostinil treatment improves kidney functions. U.S. Pat. No. 7,879,909 discloses treprostinil treatment of neuropathic foot ulcers. U.S. publication No. 2008/0280986 discloses treprostinil treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease with treprostinil and asthma. U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,486 discloses treatment of peripheral vascular disease with treprostinil. U.S. patent application publication No. 2009/0036465 discloses combination therapies comprising treprostinil. U.S. publication No. 2008/0200449 discloses delivery of treprostinil using a metered dose inhaler. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,417,070, 7,384,978 and 7,544,713 as well as U.S. publications Nos. 2007/0078095, 2005/0282901, and 2008/0249167 describe oral formulations of treprostinil and other prostacyclin analogs as well as their use for treatment of a variety of conditions. U.S. provisional application No. 61/354,949 filed Jun. 15, 2010 discloses the use of orally administered treprostinil for treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon, systemic sclerosis and digital ischemic lesions.

Treprostinil and other prostacyclin derivatives have been prepared as described in Moriarty, et al in J. Org. Chem. 2004, 69, 1890-1902, Drug of the Future, 2001, 26(4), 364-374, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,306,075, 6,441,245, 6,528,688, 6,700,025, 6,765,117, 6,809,223 and US Publication No. 2009/0163738. The entire teaching of these documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The methods described in these patent documents, however, do not describe a feasible production method for producing stereochemically pure treprostinil because, for example, the methods require the use of expensive reagents and tedious chromatographic purification techniques. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an economical, efficient and simplified method for preparing treprostinil and its synthetic intermediates.

SUMMARY

One embodiment relates to a method of preparing a synthetic intermediate of treprostinil represented by the following structural formula:

wherein:

R is —(CH₂)_(n)X or P₁;

X is H, phenyl, —CN, —OR₁ or COOR₁;

R₁ is an alkyl, THP or TBDMS;

P₁, for each occurrence, is independently an alcohol protecting group;

R₂ and R₃ are each independently —H or an alkyl;

Z is —H, cycloalkyl or phenoxy (i.e. —O-phenyl);

n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and

p is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

The method comprises the step of reacting an aldehyde compound represented by structural formula (I):

with an alkyne compound represented by structural formula (a):

wherein R, P₁, R₁, R₂, R₃, X, Z, n and p are as described above for structural formula (A).

Another embodiment is directed to a method of preparing a prostacyclin derivative (e.g., treprostinil) comprising reaction 1, and optionally comprising one or more reaction steps 2-9 according to Scheme 2.

Yet another embodiment relates to a method of preparing a synthetic intermediate of treprostinil represented by the following structural formula:

wherein:

P₁ is an alcohol protecting group;

R is —(CH₂)_(n)X;

X is H, phenyl, —CN, —OR₁ or COOR₁;

R₁ is an alkyl, THP or TBDMS; and

n is 1, 2 or 3.

The method comprises reacting a compound represented by structural formula (I):

with a compound represented by structural formula (a):

wherein R and P₁ are as described above for structural formula (A).

Another embodiment is to a method of preparing treprostinil comprising reaction 1, and optionally comprising one or more reactions 2-9 according to Scheme 2.

Yet another embodiment is a compound of formula (1):

wherein:

-   -   R is (CH₂)_(m)CO₂R₁,     -   m is 1, 2 or 3, and     -   R₁ is an alkyl group, THP, TBDMS or a substituted or         unsubstituted benzyl group.

And yet another embodiment is a compound represented by structural formula (A):

wherein:

-   -   P₁ is an alcohol protecting group;     -   wherein R is (CH₂)_(m)CO₂R₁, m is 1, 2 or 3, and     -   R₁ is an alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl         group.

And yet another embodiment is a compound represented by structural formula (4):

wherein:

each of P₁ and P₂ is an alcohol protecting group;

wherein R is (CH₂)_(m)CO₂R₁, m is 1, 2 or 3, and

R₁ is an alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group.

And yet another embodiment is a compound represented by structural formula (5):

wherein:

each of P₁ and P₂ is an alcohol protecting group;

wherein R is (CH₂)_(m)CO₂R₁, m is 1, 2 or 3, and

R₁ is an alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group.

And yet another embodiment is a compound represented by structural formula (6):

wherein:

P₁ is an alcohol protecting group;

wherein m is 1, 2 or 3, and

R₁ is an alkyl group, or hydrogen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless otherwise specified, “a” or “an” means “one or more”.

The present application is directed to methods of preparing treprostinil and synthetic intermediates useful of synthesizing treprostinil as well to synthetic intermediates themselves. The present application is also directed to methods of preparing treprostinil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof comprising the alkyne addition reaction described herein. Preferred treprostinil salts may include the sodium salt and the diethanolamine salt (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,417,070).

In some embodiments, the present application is directed to a method of preparing a synthetic intermediate (A) of treprostinil through a stereoselective alkyne addition reaction.

One embodiment is directed to a novel method (reaction 1) for preparing a compound of structural formula (A) comprising the step of reacting an aldehyde of structural formula (I) with an alkyne of structural formula (a):

wherein R, P₁, R₁, R₂, R₃, X, Z, n and p are as described above for structural formula (A′).

Another embodiment is directed to a novel method (reaction 1) for preparing a compound of structural formula (A) comprising the step of reacting an aldehyde of structural formula (I) with an alkyne of structural formula (a):

wherein:

-   -   P₁ is an alcohol protecting group;     -   R is —(CH₂)_(n)X;     -   X is H, phenyl, —CN, —OR₁ or COOR₁;     -   R₁ is an alkyl, THP, TBDMS or a substituted or unsubstituted         benzyl group; and     -   n is 1, 2 or 3.

As used herein, “an alcohol protecting group” is a functional group that protects the alcohol group from participating in reactions that are occurring in other parts of the molecule. Suitable alcohol protecting groups are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and include those found in T. W. Greene, Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1981, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. Exemplary alcohol protecting groups include, but are not limited to, actetyl, benzoyl, benzyl, p-methoxyethoxymethyl ether, methoxymethyl ether, dimethoxytrityl, p-methoxybenzyl ether, trityl, silyl ether (e.g., trimethylsilyl (TMS), tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBMDS), tert-butyldimethylsilyloxymethyl (TOM) or triisopropylsilyl (TIPS ether), tetrahydropyranyl (THP), methyl ether and ethoxyethyl ether (EE).

An alkyl group may be a saturated straight-chain or branched aliphatic group. For example, an alkyl group may a (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C5)alkyl, (C1-C4)alkyl or (C1-C3)alkyl. Examples of alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, iso-amyl, and hexyl. An alkyl group is optionally substituted with an alkyl, a cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl), an aryl (e.g., phenyl), or heteroaryl group.

A phenyl group may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents, which may be independently selected from the group consisting of —NO₂, —CN, halogen (e.g., —F, —Cl, —Br or —I), (C1-C3)alkyl, halo(C1-C3)alkyl, (C1-C3)alkoxy and halo(C1-C3)alkoxy.

A substituted benzyl group may be optionally substituted at one or more meta, ortho or para positions with one or more substituents, which may be independently selected from the group consisting of —NO₂, —CN, halogen (e.g., —F, —Cl, —Br or —I), (C1-C3)alkyl, halo(C1-C3)alkyl, (C1-C3)alkoxy and halo(C1-C3)alkoxy.

Values and particular values for the variables depicted in reaction 1 are provided in the following paragraphs:

P₁ is an alcohol protecting group. In one embodiment, P₁ is THP or TBDMS. Alternatively, P₁ is THP.

R is —(CH₂)_(n)X or P₁. In one embodiment, R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, benzyl, —CH₂COOMe, —CH₂COOCH₂Ph, THP and TBDMS. Alternatively, R is methyl.

X is —H, phenyl, —CN, —OR₁ or COOR₁. In one embodiment, X is —H. In another embodiment, X is an optionally substituted phenyl. Alternatively, X is unsubstituted phenyl. In one embodiment, when n is 0, X is not —CN, —OR₁ or COOR₁.

R₁ is an alkyl, THP or TBDMS. In one embodiment, R₁ is a (C1-C3)alkyl. Alternatively, R₁ is methyl. In another alternative, R₁ is benzyl.

n is 0, 1, 2 or 3. In one embodiment, n is 1. Alternatively, n is 0.

R₂ and R₃ are each independently —H or an alkyl. In one embodiment, R₂ and R₃ are both —H. In another embodiment, R₂ and R₃ are each independently —H or a (C1-C3)alkyl. Alternatively, R₂ and R₃ are both methyl. In another alternative, R₂ is —H and R₃ is methyl.

Z is —H, cycloalkyl or phenoxy. In one embodiment, Z is —H. Alternatively, Z is a (C3-C6)cycloalkyl. In another alternative, Z is

wherein R₄ is —H, —Cl, —Br, —F, —I, halo(C1-C3)alkyl, (C1-C3)alkyl, or —O—(C1-C3)alkyl. In one embodiment, R₄ is R₄ is —H, —Cl, —Br, —F, —I, —CF₃, -Me or —OMe.

p is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. In one embodiment, p is 5. In another embodiment, p is 1.

P₂ is an alcohol protecting group. In one embodiment, P₂ is THP or TBDMS. Alternatively, P₂ is TBDMS.

In one embodiment, the alkyne of structural formula (a) is selected from the following:

wherein: q is 1, 2, 3 or 4; and R₄ is as described above.

In one embodiment, for reaction 1 described above, P₁ may be THP.

In another embodiment, R may be selected from the group consisting of methyl, benzyl, —CH₂COOMe, —CH₂COOCH₂Ph, THP and TBDMS. Alternatively, R is methyl.

In yet another embodiment, R is methyl and P₁ is THP.

In yet another embodiments, R is —CH₂CO₂R₁, wherein R₁ is an alkyl group, such as a straight or branched C1-C5 alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group, and P₁ is tetrahydrofuranyl (THP), benzyl, 2,4-dinitrobenzyl, methoxymethyl (MOM), tertiarybutyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS), tertiarybutyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) or triethylsilyl (TES).

When reaction 1 is carried out in the presence of a chiral inducing agent, the reaction may yield a product having predominantly S configuration of the hydroxyl group at the benzylic carbon position. A “chiral inducing agent” is a compound that is used to create stereoselectivity at a chiral center. For example, (+)-N-methylephiderine may be used as the chiral inducing agent for reaction 1 described above. In one embodiment, at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, 99.9% or 100% by weight of the product of reaction 1 is represented by structural formula (A), i.e., the compound prepared by reaction 1 has at least 40%, 60%, 80%, 90%, 94%, 96%, 98%, 99.0%, 99.8% or 100% chiral purity.

The compound of structural formula (A) can be subsequently converted to a prostacyclin derivative such as treprostinil according to Scheme 2, reaction steps 2-9.

In Scheme 2′, values and particular values for R, R₂, R₃, p, Z and P₁ are as described above for structural formula (A′); P₂ is an alcohol protecting group (e.g., TBDMS); and m is 1, 2, or 3.

In some embodiments, reaction 1 may be carried out in the presence of a base and a zinc reagent. An exemplary zinc reagent includes zinc triflate (Zn(OTf)₂). Suitable bases that may be used include, for example, an alkali carbonate, an alkali hydroxide, an amine and an ammonium hydroxide. In some embodiments, Et₃N may be preferred as the base.

In some embodiments, reaction 1 as described in any one of the foregoing embodiments may be carried out in an organic solvent. Suitable organic solvents include, for example, ethereal solvents (e.g., diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane and dimethoxyethane), aromatic solvents (e.g., benzene and toluene), chlorinated solvents (e.g., methylene chloride and 1,2-dichloroethane), alcohol solvents (e.g., methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol), dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and acetonitrile. In one specific embodiment, reaction 1 may be carried out in toluene.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,700,025, 6,809,223, 6,528,668 and 6,441,245 describe a method, which may be used for preparing some of the compounds of structural formula (A). This method, depicted in Scheme 1, however, includes 3 reaction steps.

Compared to the prior art method, reaction 1 of the present invention may have one or more of the following advantages: (1) reaction 1 has high diastereoselectivity, wherein the product with greater than 95% chiral purity can be obtained. (2) the prior method requires 3-step synthesis; whereas the method (reaction 1) of the present invention only has a single step, which shortens the number of chemical steps needed; eliminates the tedious column chromatographic purifications involved in the extra two steps and saves manpower and large volume of solvents. (3) reaction 1 may be carried out at room temperature, and therefore no cryogenic reactors are needed; (4) reaction 1 is less expensive than the prior art method as the prior art method involves the use of expensive reagents as needed in the Corey asymmetric reduction. (5) reaction 1 is an eco-friendly method as it does not require the use of obnoxious borane-dimethyl sufide complex in the Corey asymmetric reduction.

In some embodiments, the compound of structural formula (A) may be subsequently converted to a prostacyclin derivative such as treprostinil according to Scheme 2, reaction steps 2-9.

In Scheme 2, R and P₁ are as described above for structural formula (A); P₂ is an alcohol protecting group; and m is 1, 2, or 3.

The present application may be also directed to a method of preparing a prostacyclin derivative represented by structural formula (IX) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof comprising reaction 1. In some embodiments, the method may also optionally include one or more steps selected from the group consisting of reaction 2, reaction 3, reaction 4, reaction 5, reaction 6, reaction 7, reaction 8 and reaction 9 shown in Scheme 2 in conjunction with reaction 1 to make the prostaglandin derivative (IX). For example, the method comprises the steps of reaction 1 and reaction 3. Alternatively, the method may comprise the steps of reaction 1, reaction 3, reaction 4, reaction 5 and reaction 6. In another alternative, the method may comprise the steps of reaction 1, reaction 8 and reaction 9. In yet another alternative, the method for preparing treprostinil comprises the steps of reaction 1, reaction 2, reaction 3, reaction 4, reaction 5, reaction 6, reaction 7, reaction 8 and reaction 9.

As used herein, a “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to a salt that is useful in preparing a pharmaceutical composition and is generally safe, non-toxic and neither biologically nor otherwise undesirable pharmaceutical use.

Compounds with basic groups, such as amine groups, can form pharmaceutically acceptable salts with pharmaceutically acceptable acid(s). Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts of the compounds of the invention include salts of inorganic acids (such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic, phosphoric, metaphosphoric, nitric, and sulfuric acids) and of organic acids (such as, acetic acid, benzenesulfonic, benzoic, citric, ethanesulfonic, fumaric, gluconic, glycolic, isethionic, lactic, lactobionic, maleic, malic, methanesulfonic, succinic, p-toluenesulfonic, and tartaric acids). Compounds with acidic groups such as carboxylic acids can form pharmaceutically acceptable salts with pharmaceutically acceptable base(s). Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable basic salts include ammonium salts, alkali metal salts (such as sodium and potassium salts) and alkaline earth metal salts (such as magnesium and calcium salts). Compounds with a quaternary ammonium group also contain a counteranion such as chloride, bromide, iodide, acetate, perchlorate and the like. Other examples of such salts include hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, sulfates, methanesulfonates, nitrates, maleates, acetates, citrates, fumarates, tartrates [e.g. (+)-tartrates, (−)-tartrates or mixtures thereof including racemic mixtures], succinates, benzoates and salts with amino acids such as glutamic acid. A particularly preferred salt is the diethanolamine salt of treprostinil.

In one embodiment, the prostacyclin derivative (e.g., treprostinil) prepared according to the methods described herein may have at least 40%, 60%, 80%, 90%, 94%, 96%, 98%, 99.0%, 99.8% or 100% chiral purity.

In one embodiment, the prostacyclin derivative is treprostinil represented by structural formula (IX-1) (i.e., m=1 for structural formula (IX).

In one embodiment, for structural formulas (I)-(VI) and (A), R may be selected from the group consisting of methyl, benzyl, —CH₂COOMe, —CH₂COOCH₂Ph, THP and TBDMS. More specifically, R is methyl.

In another embodiment, for structural formulas (I)-(V), (A) and (a), P₁ is THP.

In yet another embodiment, for structural formulas (II) and (III), P₂ is TBDMS.

In another embodiment, for reactions depicted in Scheme 2, R is methyl, P₁ is THP, P₂ is TBDMS and m is 1.

In one embodiment, for methods of preparing a prostacyclin derivative described herein, specific conditions and reagents for reaction 1 are as described above.

For reaction 2 depicted in Scheme 2 above, compound (A) is reacted with an alcohol protecting reagent to form the compound of structural formula (II). An “alcohol protecting reagent” is a reagent that converts a —OH group to —OP₂. In one embodiment, the alcohol protecting reagent is TBDMSCl.

In one embodiment, reaction 2 is carried out in the presence of a base. Suitable base can be used includes, but is not limited to, an alkali carbonate, an alkali hydroxide, an amine and an ammonium hydroxide. More specifically, the base is an amine. Even more specifically, the base is a mixture of imidazole and dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP).

Reaction 2 can be carried out in a suitable solvent or a solvent mixture. In one embodiment, reaction 2 is carried out in an organic solvent, such as ethereal solvents (e.g., diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane and dimethoxyethane), aromatic solvents (e.g., benzene and toluene), chlorinated solvents (e.g., methylene chloride and 1,2-dichloroethane), alcohol solvents (e.g., methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol), dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and acetonitrile. In one embodiment, the solvent is methylene chloride (CH₂Cl₂).

For reaction 3 depicted in Scheme 2, the compound of structural formula (II) is converted to the compound of structural formula (III) through a cobalt-mediated cyclization reaction. More specifically, the cyclization reaction is carried out in the presence of Co₂(CO)₈.

In one embodiment, reaction 3 is carried out in an organic solvent or a mixture of organic solvents. Suitable organic solvents include, but are not limited to, ethereal solvents (e.g., diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane and dimethoxyethane), aromatic solvents (e.g., benzene and toluene), chlorinated solvents (e.g., methylene chloride and 1,2-dichloroethane), alcohol solvents (e.g., methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol), dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and acetonitrile. More specifically, reaction 3 is carried out initially in CH₂Cl₂ followed by removal of the solvent by distillation. The reaction is subsequently carried out in acetonitrile.

For reaction 4 depicted in Scheme 2, the compound of structural formula (III) is hydrogenated with H₂ to form the compound of structural formula (IV). In one embodiment, the hydrogenation reaction is carried out in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. More specifically, the hydrogenation reaction is carried out in the presence of Pd/C. In another embodiment, the hydrogenation reaction is carried out in the presence of a base, such as a alkali carbonate (e.g., K₂CO₃).

Reaction 4 can be carried out in an organic solvent, such as ethereal solvents (e.g., diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane and dimethoxyethane), aromatic solvents (e.g., benzene and toluene), chlorinated solvents (e.g., methylene chloride and 1,2-dichloroethane), alcohol solvents (e.g., methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol), dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and acetonitrile. More specifically, the reaction is carried out in EtOH.

For reaction 5, the compound of structural formula (IV) is reacted with a reducing agent to form the compound of structural formula (V). A “reducing agent” is a reagent that can convert a carbonyl functional group to an alcohol functional group. Suitable reducing agents can be used include, but are not limited to, NaBH₄ and LiAlH₄. More specifically, the reducing agent is NaBH₄. In one embodiment, reaction 5 is carried out in the presence of a base, such as an alkali hydroxide (e.g. NaOH). Reaction 5 can be carried out in an organic solvent, such as those described above. More specifically, the reaction is carried out in EtOH.

For reaction 6, the compound of structural formula (V) is reacted with a strong acid, such as p-toluenesulfonic acid (pTsOH), TFA, TfOH, or hydrochloric acid, to form the compound of structural formula (VI). More specifically, the acid is pTsOH. Reaction 6 can be carried out in an organic solvent, such as those described above. More specifically, the solvent is MeOH.

For reaction 7, the compound of structural formula (VI) is reacted with Ph₂PH in the presence of a base. In one embodiment, the base is alkyllithium. More specifically, the base is nBuLi. Reaction 7 can be carried out in an organic solvent. Exemplary organic solvents are described above. In one embodiment, reaction 7 is carried out in tetrahydrofuran (THF).

For reaction 8, the compound of structural formula (VII) is reacted with X₁(CH₂)_(m)CN to form the compound of structural formula (VIII), wherein X₁ is a leaving group and m is 1, 2 or 3. A “leaving group” is a moiety that can easily be displaced by a nucleophile. For example, a leaving group is a halide (e.g., —Cl, —Br, —I), a sulfonate group (e.g., MeSO₂O—, CF₃SO₂O—, CH₃C₆H₄SO₂O—, or C₆H₅SO₂O—). More specifically, X₁ is —Cl and m is 1.

In one embodiment, reaction 8 is carried out in the presence of a base, such as an alkali carbonate (e.g., K₂CO₃).

Reaction 8 can be carried out in an organic solvent, such as those described above. More specifically, the solvent is acetone.

For reaction 9, the compound of structural formula (VIII) is reacted with a base, such as an alkali hydroxide (e.g., NaOH). The reaction can be carried out in an organic solvent, such as those described above. In one embodiment, the reaction is carried out EtOH.

Also included in the present invention is the prostacyclin derivatives represented by structural formula (IX) (e.g., treprostinil) prepared by methods described herein.

In some embodiments, a prostacyclin derivative represented by structural formula (IX), such as treprostinil, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof may be prepared using one or more reactions from Scheme 3:

In Scheme 3, R₁ may be an alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group, and P₁ are as described above for structural formula (A); P₂ is an alcohol protecting group; and m is 1, 2, or 3.

Compound (7) in Scheme 3 corresponds to the prostacyclin derivative represented by structural formula (IX) earlier in the disclosure, compound (2) in Scheme 3 corresponds to the compound of structural formula (A) earlier in the disclosure, while Step 2 in corresponds to reaction 1 earlier in the disclosure.

In some embodiments, a method of preparing a prostacyclin derivative represented by structural formula (IX) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof may comprising Step 2 of Scheme 3. The method may also optionally include one or more steps selected from the group consisting of Step 1, Step 3, Step 4, Step 5 and Step 6 shown in Scheme 3 in conjunction with Step 2 to make the prostaglandin derivative (IX). For example, the method comprises Step 2 and Step 3. Alternatively, the method may comprise Step 2, Step 3 and Step 4. In another alternative, the method may comprise the steps of Step 2, Step 5 and Step 6. In another alternative, the method may comprise Step 1 and Step 2. In yet another alternative, the method for preparing treprostinil may comprise Step 1, Step 2, Step 3, Step 4, Step 5 and Step 6.

The reactions of scheme 3 may be particularly useful for R is —(CH₂)_(m)CO₂R₁, wherein m=1, 2 or 3 and R₁ is an alkyl group, such as a straight or branched C1-C5 alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group. Compared to prior art methods, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,700,025, 6,809,223, 6,528,668 and 6,441,245, the method of Scheme 3 may include fewer steps for preparing a prostacyclin derivative represented by structural formula (IX).

Step 1 of Scheme 3 may be performed by reacting compound 1 with R₂COOR₁, wherein R₂ may be a leaving group such as halogen, e.g. Cl, I, or Br, tosylate, mesylate or triflate, and R₁ is an alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group. In some embodiments, the reaction may be carried out in the presence of a base, which may be an alkali carbonate, such as K₂CO₃. In some embodiments, the base may be potassium tertiary butoxide (t-BuOK), sodium hydride (NaH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), lithium hydroxide (LiOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH) etc. The reaction may be carried out in a number of solvents including butanone, propanone, N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF), dimethoxyethane (DME), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), tetrahydrofuran (THF), toluene and acetone.

Step 2 of Scheme 3 may be performed as described above for reaction 1 of scheme 2.

Step 3 of Scheme 3 may be performed by compound (A) with an alcohol protecting reagent to form the compound of structural formula (4). An “alcohol protecting reagent” is a reagent that converts a —OH group to —OP₂. In some embodiments, P₂ may be tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS), tertiarybutyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS), triethylsilyl (TES) or triphenylmethyl (trityl group). The respective alcohol protective reagents may be TBDMSCl or TBDMSOTf for TBDMS, TESCl for TES, TBDPSCl for TBDPS and tritylchloride for trityl. In some embodiments, TBDMS may be preferred as P₂ and TBDMSCl may be preferred as the alcohol protecting reagent. Chemical formula of exemplary protective reagents is presented below.

In one embodiment, Step 3 of Scheme 3 may be carried out in the presence of a base. Suitable base that may be used includes, but is not limited to, an alkali carbonate, an alkali hydroxide, an amine and an ammonium hydroxide. In one specific embodiment, the base may an amine, such as of imidazole, 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) or a mixture thereof.

Step 3 of Scheme 3 may be carried out in a suitable solvent or a solvent mixture. In one embodiment, Step 3 of Scheme 3 may be carried out in an organic solvent, such as ethereal solvents (e.g., diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane and dimethoxyethane), aromatic solvents (e.g., benzene and toluene), chlorinated solvents (e.g., methylene chloride and 1,2-dichloroethane), dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and acetonitrile. In one embodiment, the solvent may be methylene chloride (CH₂Cl₂).

Step 4 of Scheme 3 may be performed by converting the compound of structural formula (4) to the compound of structural formula (5). In some embodiments, such conversion may be performed by a cobalt-mediated cyclization reaction. Such cyclization reaction may be carried out, for example, in the presence of Co₂(CO)₈.

In one embodiment, Step 4 of Scheme 3 may be carried out in an organic solvent or a mixture of organic solvents. Suitable organic solvents include, but are not limited to, ethereal solvents (e.g., diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane and dimethoxyethane), aromatic solvents (e.g., benzene and toluene), chlorinated solvents (e.g., methylene chloride and 1,2-dichloroethane), alcohol solvents (e.g., methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol), dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and acetonitrile. In some embodiments Step 4 of Scheme 3 may be carried out in 1,2-dimethoxyethane. followed by removal of the solvent by distillation.

In some embodiments, Step 4 may be carried out using from about 2 to 15 mol % or from 3 to 12 mol % or from 5 to 10 mol % or any subrange within the above stated ranges of Co₂(CO)₈. In some embodiments, Step 4 may be carried out under atmosphere of carbon monoxide using from about 2 to 15 mol % or from 3 to 12 mol % or from 5 to 10 mol % or any subrange within the above stated ranges of Co₂(CO)₈. Such conditions may save cost and/or avoid laborious column chromatography and hence save time compared to stoichiometric Pauson-Khand cyclization such as the one used, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,117.

In some embodiments, the reaction of Step 4 may be carried out under atmospheric pressure. Yet in some embodiments, the reaction of step of Step 4 may be carried at a pressure that is higher than the atmospheric pressure. The use of the elevated pressure may make the reaction of Step 4 go faster compared the reaction under the atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the reaction of Step 4 may be carried out at a pressure ranging from 10 psi to 250 psi or from 20 psi to 250 psi or from 20 psi to 200 psi or any subrange within these ranges.

Step 5 of Scheme 3 may be performed by hydrogenating the compound of structural formula (5) to form a hydrogenated compound of formula (6) or (6′). The hydrogenation reaction may involve reacting the compound of structural formula (5) with H₂. In some embodiments, the hydrogenation reaction may be carried out in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. Such hydrogenation catalyst may comprise a metal hydrogenation catalyst, such as Pd. In some embodiments, the hydrogenation catalyst may be Pd/C. In some embodiments, the hydrogenation reaction may be carried out in the presence of a base, which may be a alkali carbonate, such as K₂CO₃.

Step 5 of Scheme 3 may be carried out in an organic solvent, such as ethereal solvents (e.g., diethyl ether, methyl tert-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane and dimethoxyethane), aromatic solvents (e.g., benzene and toluene), chlorinated solvents (e.g., methylene chloride and 1,2-dichloroethane), alcohol solvents (e.g., methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol), dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and acetonitrile.

When R₁ is an alkyl group Step 5 may result in the hydrogenated compound of structural formula (6):

When R₁ is a substituted of unsubstituted benzyl group Step 5 may result in the hydrogenated compound of structural formula (6′):

which has its benzyl group cleaved as the result of hydrogenation.

Step 6 of Scheme 3 may be performed by converting the hydrogenated compound represented by structural formula (6) or (6′) to a compound represented by structural formula (7) or (IX). In some embodiments, the conversion of Step 6 may be performed in the presence of a reducing agent, which may be used for the reduction of the ketone to alcohol on the cyclopentyl ring. The reducing agent may be, for example, NaBH₄, NaCNBH₃ or LiBH₄. In some embodiments, the reducing agent may be used together with a base, which may be used for hydrolysis of the ester group to acid. The base may be, for example, NaOH, KOH, LiOH or Ba(OH)₂. In some embodiments, step 6 may be carried in the presence of an acid, which may be used to obtain a free acid from the ester group after its hydrolysis and/or to remove the protection group P₁ from the side chain. In some embodiments, the acid may be, for example, HCl, acetic acid, formic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, para-toluene sulfonic acid, dilute H₂SO₄, dilute HNO₃ or a polymer bound acidic resin, such as Amberlyst-15 or Dowex 50WX-X8. Solvents, which may be used for Step 6's conversion, may include water and/or organic solvents, such as alcohols, for example ethanol. In some embodiments, Step 6 may be performed in the presence of two or more of the reducing agent, the base and the acid. In some embodiments, Step 6 may be carried out in the presence of all three of the reducing agent, the base and the acid.

Step 6 may allow performing one or more of the following in a single pot: reduction of the ketone of compound (6) to alcohol of compound (7), hydrolysis of the ester group of compound (6) to a free acid of compound (7) and removal of the P₁ protective group of compound (6).

For example, conversion of compound of structural formula (6), when R₁ is an alkyl group, the conversion reaction may accomplish cleaving of the protective group P₁ and ester hydrolysis of R to a free acid in a single pot. This conversion may also include reduction of the ketone of compound (6) to alcohol of compound (7).

The present invention also relates to intermediates for synthesis a prostacyclin derivative represented by structural formula (IX), such as compounds of formulas (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6, 6′) in Scheme 3.

The invention is further illustrated by, though in no way limited to, the following examples.

Example 1 Preparation of Chiral Benzyl Alcohol (A-1)

A 50-mL, two-necked, round-bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer was charged with zinc triflate (2.16 g, 0.0059 mol) and (+)-N-methylephiderine (0.814 g, 0.0045 mol) in toluene (10 mL). To this mixture triethyl amine was added (0.459 g, 0.0045 mol) and this gelatinous mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 30-60 minutes. To this mixture was then treated with a solution of alkyne (1.08 g, 0.0045 mol) in toluene (1 mL), stirred at ambient temperature for 15 minutes followed by solution of aldehyde (0.250 g, 0.0014 mol). Progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC (completion of the reaction was monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLC) using a thin layer silica gel plate; eluent: 20% ethyl acetate in hexanes). After stirring the mixture for 3 h TLC indicated completion of reaction. At this stage reaction mixture was quenched by slow addition of saturated ammonium chloride (10 mL). This was stirred for 5-10 minutes and organic layer containing desired compound was separated. Aqueous layer was washed with ethyl acetate (10 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (15 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuo to obtain a crude product (2.0 g). The crude product was purified by column chromatography using 250-400 mesh silica gel. A solvent gradient of ethyl acetate in hexanes (5-20%) was used to elute the product from the column. All fractions containing the desired product were combined and concentrated in vacuo to give pure chiral benzyl alcohol A-1 (0.360 g, ˜87%) compound was characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, IR, LCMS and chiral HPLC data. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 0.87 (t, 3H), 1.18-1.86 (m, 17H), 2.28 (dt, 1H), 2.34-2.45 (m, 2H), 3.40-3.53 (m, 1H), 3.54-3.62 (m, 1H), 3.63-3.75 (m, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.83-3.92 (m, 1H), 4.62-4.66 (m, 1H), 4.89-5.05 (m, 2H), 5.59-5.61 (merged two s, 1H), 5.91-6.04 (m, 1H), 6.85-6.82 (d, 1H), 7.20-7.26 (m, 1H), and 7.31-7.36 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz): δ 14.13, 14.18, 14.98, 15.56, 19.96, 21.14, 22.71, 24.77, 25.34, 25.57, 29.51, 31.17, 31.23, 32.07, 32.19, 32.69, 33.51, 33.94, 35.13, 55.86, 60.49, 62.12, 62.18, 62.82, 75.36, 75.89, 80.20, 80.53, 86.97, 87.42, 97.31, 98.06, 110.63, 114.80, 119.18, 119.27, 125.86, 127.44, 127.50, 137.15, 140.78, 157.68; IR: 3411, 2230, 1638, 1259, 1133, 1023, 755 cm⁻¹; MS (m/z): [M+Na]⁺437.35.

Example 2 Preparation of Treprostinil (IX-1)

Treprostinil can be prepared according to Scheme 4. Exemplary reaction conditions for making the chiral benzyl alcohol (compound A-1) are described in Example 1. Exemplary conditions for other reactions depicted in Scheme 3 are as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,700,025, 6,809,223, 6,528,668 and 6,441,245. The entire teaching of all these documents are incorporated herein by reference.

Example 3 Preparation of Treprostinil

The inventors have developed a stereoselective route for the synthesis of treprostinil (7) starting from aldehyde (1) and side chain (SCiv). This route may involve direct stereoselective addition of an alkyne to starting 2-Allyl-3-[(carbomethoxy)methoxy]benzaldehyde (2) and illustrates the synthetic utility of catalytic a Pauson-Khand Cyclization (PKC) for the synthesis of a drug substance, treprostinil (7, UT-15). O-alkylation of the readily available 3-hydroxy-2-allylbenzaldehyde (Step 1-->2) with methylbromoacetate provided the required starting material (2) to accomplish this synthesis. The steps in the synthesis may involve a stereoselective addition of an alkyne, and an efficient stereoselection effected in the PKC of a benzoenyne under the agency of a protective group P₁, such as benzylic OTBDMS group. This protective group can serve as a temporary stereodirecting group and may be conveniently removed via hydrogenolysis concomitantly in the catalytic hydrogenation of the enone PKC product. At the final step, reduction, P₁ cleavage and ester hydrolysis may be accomplished in one pot to obtain desired prostaglandin analog product, such as treprostinil (7).

The advantage of the present chemistry may include, but not limited to: 1) direct stereoselective addition of alkyne to aldehyde; 2) this route may also eliminate the need of four steps in the prior art synthesis of prostacyclin derivatives disclosed, for example, in Moriarty et al (U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,117). In particular, the present route may eliminate one or more of the following steps of the prior art synthesis (U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,117):

1) Grignard addition step (compound 5-compound 6 in U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,117); 2) PCC oxidation step (compound 6-compound 7 in U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,117); 3) Chiral reduction step, aka as Corey reduction (compound 7-compound 8 in U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,117); 4) demethylation of phenyl methyl ester (compound 13-compound 14 in U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,117).

The present synthesis scheme may not only shorten the number of chemical steps to obtain treprostinil but also eliminate the tedious column chromatographic purifications required in the prior art methods, such as the one in U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,117 at intermediate steps. Such elimination of the prior art chromatographic purifications may significantly save manpower and large volumes of solvents. For example, the prior art route of U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,117 has 15 steps and requires chromatographic purifications on all them but one (compound 11-compound 12). The present synthesis has only 6 steps and may include chromatographic purification in at most three steps (steps 2, step 3 and step 4).

The present synthesis scheme may enable performing the reactions at room temperature without the need for cryogenic reactors, which are required in the prior art methods, such as the one in U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,117. For example, the prior art route of U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,117 requires cryogenic reactors in chiral reduction step (compound 7-compound 8) and in demethylation of phenyl methyl ester (compound 13-compound 14).

The present synthesis does not involve use of expensive reagents which are required in the prior art methods, such as the one in U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,117. For example, the prior art route of U.S. Pat. No. 6,765,117 in the chiral reduction step (compound 7-compound 8) used starting compound (B) for Corey reagent (B+C), which is an expensive reagent. Corey reagent (B+C) itself is also an expensive reagent.

This report provides the experimental details on the synthesis of treprostinil (7) below.

Step 1: 2-Allyl-3-[(carbomethoxy)methoxy]benzaldehyde (2)

TABLE 1 Name MW Amount mol Aldehyde (1) 162.18 2.5 g 0.015 methylbromoacetate 152.97 2.5 g 0.016 K₂CO₃ 138.21 6.3 g 0.045 Acetone NA  50 ml NA

Procedure: A 100-mL round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer and stir bar was charged with a solution of 3-hydroxy-2-allylbenzaldehyde (1) (2.5 g in 50 mL acetone), methylbromoacetate (2.5 g, 1.10 eq.) and powdered potassium carbonate (6.3 g, 3.0 eq.). The mixture was stirred at 40° C. for four hours and progress of reaction was monitored by TLC (Note 1). After completion of the reaction, the suspension was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo to afford a crude semi-solid mass. This was slurried in 30 mL of hexanes and stirred for 15 minutes. A solid crashed out of the hexanes and was collected by filtration to obtain compound (2) as an off-white solid; yield 3.48 g (99%), mp 46-47° C. The structure was consistent with spectral data. IR (neat) cm⁻¹: 3084, 2761, 1735, 1692; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.91 (d, 2H, J=6 Hz), 4.71 (s, 2H), 4.98 (m, 2H), 6.03 (m, 1H), 6.96 (d, 1H, J=8 Hz), 7.33 (dd, 1H, J=8 Hz), 7.52 (d, 1H, J=8 Hz); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz) 8 28.32, 52.37, 66.01, 115.75, 117.05, 123.73, 127.55, 131.73, 135.40, 136.58, 156.23, 169.09, 192.08; MS: (M+1) 235.41.

Note 1: Completion of the reaction was monitored by TLC using a thin layer silica gel plate; eluent: 20% ethyl acetate in hexanes.

Step 2: Preparation of chiral benzyl alkynol (3)

TABLE 2 Name MW Amount mol Aldehyde (2) 234.25 0.50 g 0.0026 Alkyne side chain 238.37 1.57 g 0.0065 (Sciv) Zinc triflate 363.51 3.17 g 0.0087 (+)-N-Methylephedrine 179.26 1.22 g 0.0068 Triethylamine 101.19 0.68 g 0.0068 Toluene NA   10 ml NA

Procedure: A 50-mL, two-necked, round-bottomed flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer and stir bar was charged with zinc triflate (3.17 g, 0.0087 mol) and (+)-N-methylephedrine (1.22 g, 0.0068 mol) in toluene (5 mL). To this mixture triethylamine was added (0.68 g, 0.0068 mol) and this gelatinous mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 1-2 h. To this mixture was then added a solution of alkyne (1.57 g, 0.0065 mol) in toluene (4 mL), stirred at ambient temperature for 15-30 minutes followed by addition of a solution of aldehyde (2) (0.50 g, 0.0026 mol in 1-2 mL toluene). Progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC (Note 1). After stirring the mixture at room temperature for 16 h, TLC indicated completion of reaction. The reaction mixture was quenched by slow addition of water (10 mL). This was stirred for 5-10 minutes and organic layer containing desired compound was separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (10 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (10 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to obtain a crude product. The crude product wa˜ purified by column chromatography using 250-400 mesh silica gel. A solvent gradient of ethyl acetate in hexanes (5-20%) was used to elute the product from the column. All fractions containing the desired pure product were combined and concentrated in vacuo to give pure chiral benzyl alkynol (3,700 mg, −70%). The structure was consistent with spectral data.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 0.84 (t, 3H, J=6 Hz), 1.25-1.82 (m, 17H), 2.28 (t, 1H, J=6 Hz), 2.34-2-42 (m, 2H), 3.42-3.52 (m, 1H), 3.61-3.74 (m, 3H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.81-3.95 (m, 1H), 4.61 (s, 2H), 4.68 (m, 1H), 4.94-5.01 (m, 2H), 5.62 (br s, 1H), 5.97-6.07 (m, 1H), 6.76 (d, 1H, J=8 Hz), 7.16-7.27 (m, 1H), 7.38-7.43 (m, 1H); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz) 84.75, −4.38, −3.49, 14.12, 14.16, 14.84, 15.52, 18.06, 18.38, 20.04, 20.24, 22.70, 24.76, 25.25, 25.56, 25.72, 25.94, 29.67, 31.22, 31.28, 32.05, 32.11, 32.65, 33.41, 34.01, 35.08, 52.22, 62.36, 62.84, 63.09, 66.04, 75.41, 76.44, 76.68, 80.83, 81.22, 85.57, 86.01, 97.31, 98.85, 110.89, 114.80, 119.77, 119.82, 125.56, 127.11, 127.16, 136.46, 136.52, 142.66, 142.73, 155.83, 169.68; MS: (M+Na) 495.6.

Note 1: Completion of the reaction was monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLC) using a thin layer silica gel plate; eluent: 20% ethyl acetate in hexanes.

Step 3: Preparation of Chiral Benzylalkynyl tert.-butyldimethylsilyl ether (4)

TABLE 3 Name MW Amount Mol Chiral benzylalkynol 472.62 0.680 g 0.0014 t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride 150.73 0.282 g 0.0018 Imidazole 68.0 0.127 g 0.0018 4-(Dimethylamino)pyridine 122.17 0.167 g 10 mol % Dichloromethane NA  30.0 mL NA

Procedure: A 50-mL, two-necked, round-bottomed flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer and stir bar was charged with a solution of chiral benzylalkynol (3) (0.680 g, 0.0014 mol) in dichloromethane (30 mL) under argon. To this solution, imidazole (0.127 g, 0.0018 mol) and 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (0.176 g, 10 mol %) were added while stirring at room temperature. The stirring was continued until a clear solution was obtained. To this solution t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (0.282 g, 0.0018 mol) was added slowly while stirring. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for approximately 3-4 h (Note 1). The reaction was quenched by addition of a saturated ammonium chloride solution (10 mL). The organic layer was separated and washed with brine (10 mL), dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by column chromatography using 250-400 mesh silica gel and eluted with a gradient solvent of ethyl acetate in hexanes (2-12%). The fractions containing the desired compound were evaporated in vacuo to yield benzyl alkynyl t-butyldimethylsilyl ether (4) as a colorless, viscous liquid (0.800 g, 94%). The structure was consistent with spectral data.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 0.07-0.13 (four merged s, 6H), 0.83 (merged t, 3H), 0.89-0.91 (two merged s, 9H), 1.24-1.84 (m, 10H), 2.18-2.34 (m, 2H), 3.39-3.69 (m, 3H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.81-3.91 (m, 1H), 4.55-4.56 (m, 1H), 4.62 (s, 2H), 4.96-4.98 (m, 2H), 5.57 (br s, 1H), 5.92-6.01 (m, 1H), 6.66 (d, 1H, J=8 Hz), 7.17 (two dd, 1H, J=8 Hz), 7.30 (d, 1H, J=8 Hz).

Note 1: Completion of the reaction was monitored by TLC using a thin layer silica gel plate; eluent: 20% ethyl acetate in hexanes.

Step 4: Preparation of Tricyclicenone (5)

TABLE 4 Name MW Amount Mole Benzyl alkynyl t-butyldimethylsilyl 584.65 0.100 g 0.00017 ether (4) Octacarbonyldicobalt 341.95 0.0030 5 mol % 1,2-Dimethoxyethane NA   10 ml NA

Procedure: A 50-mL round-bottomed flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer and stir bar was charged with a solution of benzylalkynyl tert.-butyldimethylsilyl ether (4) (0.10 g) in 1,2-DME (10 mL), and was degassed by bubbling argon through the solution for 2-3 minutes. To this solution was added CO₂(CO)₈ (0.003 g) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide (CO, using balloon). After 30 minutes the reaction mixture was heated to 60-65° C. using an oil bath for 6 h (Note 1). After cooling to room temperature, 1,2-DME (solvent) was evaporated in vacuo to yield a crude, gummy compound that was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel using 5-20% ethyl acetate in hexanes. Fractions containing the desired compound were collected and evaporated in vacuo to yield tricyclic enone (5) (102 mg, 83%). The structure was consistent with spectral data. IR (neat) cm, 1: 2928, 1728, 1702; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 0.02-0.13 (m, 6H), 0.80 (merged s, 9H), 0.81-0.88 (m, 1H). 1.18-2.61 (m, 16H), 2.71 (dd, 1H, J=6 Hz), 3.32-3.60 (m, 4H), 3.79 (merged s, 3H), 3.80-3.92 (m, 1H), 4.56 (merged d, 1H), 4.60 (merged s, 2H), 5.47 and 5.53 (two s, 1H), 6.63, 1H, J=8 Hz), 6.97 (dd, 1H, J=8 Hz), 7.19 (dd, 1H, J=8 Hz); ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃, 75 MHz) 8-4.20, 4.08, 14.17, 18.15, 20.13, 22.69, 24.84, 25.71, 31.27, 32.14, 33.29, 33.93, 42.19, 52.34, 62.86, 65.50, 76.68, 97.24, 110.19, 123.28, 125.74, 127.31, 137.52, 137.95, 155.18, 169.44, 209.60.

Note 1: Completion of reaction was monitored by TLC using a thin layer silica gel plate; eluant: 20% ethyl acetate in hexanes. After 3 h, TLC showed presence of starting material. At this stage extra 5 mol % cobalt catalyst was added at room temperature and reaction was again heated at 60-65° C. until completion (total reaction time 6 h)

Step 5: Preparation of Tricyclic ketone (6)

TABLE 5 Name MW Amount Mole Tricyclic enone (5) 614.90 0.10 g NA Palladium on charcoal NA 0.01 g NA (50% wet) Potassium carbonate NA 0.010 NA Methanol NA 10.0 ml NA Water NA 1.00 ml NA

Procedure: A 200-mL round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer and stir bar was charged with a solution of tricyclic enone (5) (0.10 g) in methanol (10.0 mL) and aqueous K₂CO₃ (0.010 g in 1.0 mL water). To this solution, Pd/C (0.010 g, 50% wet) was added while stirring at room temperature. The reaction vessel was evacuated and pressurized with hydrogen gas using a balloon. The reaction mixture was hydrogenated at balloon pressure overnight (˜16 h) at ambient temperature. After 16 h, the reaction was monitored by TLC, infra-red (IR) and proton NMR (Note 1). At this stage the reaction mixture was filtered through a pad of Celite (˜4 g). The Celite pad was washed with methanol (˜50 mL). The combined filtrates were evaporated in vacuo to give crude tricyclic ketone (6) and the crude product was purified by column chromatography using 250-400 mesh silica gel. A solvent gradient of ethyl acetate in hexanes (5-35%) was used to elute the product from column. The fractions containing desired product were evaporated in vacuo to yield tricyclic ketone (6) (0.035 g, 44%). IR (neat) cm⁻¹ 2929, 1736, 1679; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 0.87 (br t, 3H), 1.21-3.12 (m, 27H), 3.42-3.53 (m, 1H), 3.55-3.68 (m, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.86-3.95 (m, 1H), 4.61-4.69 (m, 1H), 4.64 (merged s, 2H), 6.53-6.56 (m, 1H), 6.74-6.81 (m, 1H), 7.06-7.08 (m, 1H).

Note 1: Completion of the hydrogenation was checked by monitoring the change in the IR carbonyl stretch frequency [starting material (tricyclic enone) ˜1728 cm⁻¹, product (tricyclic ketone)-1736 cm⁻¹ and proton NMR. The reaction mixture was evacuated and then purged with argon. A small aliquot of reaction mixture was sampled, filtered through a short pad of Celite, and the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo to give a thick, oily compound. The IR of the oily compound was checked for above mentioned carbonyl stretch frequency. Completion of reaction was monitored by TLC using a thin layer silica gel plate; eluent: 40% ethyl acetate in hexanes.

Step 6: Preparation of treprostinil (7)

TABLE 6 Name MW Amount Mole Tricyclic ketone (6) 486.65 0.0035 g 0.00006 Sodium hydroxide 40.0 0.030 g 0.00073 Sodium borohydride 37.8 0.004 g 0.00012 Methanol NA 5.0 ml NA Water NA 1.0 ml NA HCl NA (10%) 4-5 ml NA

Procedure: A 200-mL round-bottom flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer and stir bar was charged with a solution of tricyclic ketone (6) (0.035 g) in methanol (5.0 mL). It was cooled to −5° C. and aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (0.030 g, 15 eq, dissolved in 1.0 mL water) was added while stirring. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 minutes and then sodium borohydride (0.004 g in 1.0 mL water) was added and stirring was continued at −5° C. for 2 h. This was slowly allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred overnight (˜16 h). The reaction mixture was quenched carefully by dropwise addition of 10% hydrochloric acid (˜4-5 mL) until pH 2-3. Then the mixture was concentrated in vacuo and to this water (10 mL) and ethyl acetate (10 mL) were added and stirred for 5-10 minutes. The organic layer was separated and washed with brine (10 mL), dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated in vacuo to obtain UT-15 (7) as an off-white solid (0.021 g). The compound was characterized by spectral data and HPLC. The ¹HNMR and HPLC of the samples were compared with reference UT-15 and were identical; ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 0.90 (t, 3H, 6 Hz), 1.05-1.78 (m, 13H), 2.85-2.85-2.98 (m, 1H), 2.03 2.12 (m, 1H), 2.21-2.32 (m, 1H), 2.45-2.53 (m, 1H), 2.61-2.81 (m, 3H), 3.52 (br s, 1H), 3.58-3.69 (m, 1H), 4.62 (s, 2H), 6.69 (d, 1H, J=8 Hz), 6.78 (d, 1H, J=8 Hz), 7.04 (dd, 1H, J=8 Hz).

Example 4 Preparation 2-Ally-3-(carbomethoxy)benzyloxybenzaldehyde Reaction Scheme:

Experimental: Preparation of 2-Allyl-3-benzyloxybenzaldehyde (3)

TABLE 7 Name Mol Wt Amount mol 2-Allyl-3-hydroxybenzaldehyde 162.18 1.00 g 0.006 Benzyl bromoacetate 229.08 1.53 g 0.006 Potassium carbonate 138.21 3.30 g 0.024 Acetone NA   20 mL NA

Experimental Procedure

To a solution of 2-allyl-3-hydroxybenzaldehyde (1) (1.00 g, 0.006 mol) in acetone (20 mL) was added powdered potassium carbonate (3.30 g) and benzyl bromoacetate (2) (1.53 g, 0.006 mol). The reaction mixture was stirred at 40° C. (oil bath temperature) for 5 h. The reaction mixture was checked by tlc (Note 1). The reaction was complete. The mixture was filtered, and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to get crude viscous liquid. The crude product was purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixture of ethyl acetate and hexanes (4-10%) to get colorless viscous liquid (1.73 g, 88.7%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 Hz) 3.89 (m, 2H), 4.74 (s, 2H), 4.95-5.00 (m, 2H), 5.22 (s, 2H), 5.97-6.06 (m, 1H), 6.97 (m, 1H), 7.29-7.34 9m, 6H), 7.54 (m, 1H).

Note 1: Completion of the reaction was monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLC) using a thin layer silica gel plate; eluent: 10% ethyl acetate in hexanes.

Step 2: Preparation of chiral benzyl alkynol (4)

TABLE 8 Name MW Amount mol Aldehyde 312.00 0.250 g 0.0008 Alkyne side 238.37  3.00 g 0.0025 chain (Sciv) Zinc triflate 363.51  1.20 g 0.0030 (+)-N- 179.26 0.460 g 0.0025 Methylephedrine Triethylamine 101.19 0.810 g 0.0025 Toluene NA   10 mL NA

Procedure:

A 50-mL, two-necked, round-bottomed flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer and stir bar was charged with zinc triflate (1.20 g, 0.0030 mol) and (+)-N-methylephedrine (0.460 g, 0.0025 mol) in toluene (5 mL). To this mixture triethylamine was added (0.810 g, 0.0025 mol) and this gelatinous mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 1-2 h. To this mixture was then added a solution of alkyne (3.00 g, 0.0025 mol) in toluene (4 mL), stirred at ambient temperature for 15-30 minutes followed by addition of a solution of aldehyde (0.250 g, 0.0008 mol in 1-2 mL toluene). Progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC (Note 1). After stirring the mixture at room temperature for 2 h, TLC indicated completion of reaction. The reaction mixture was quenched by slow addition of water (10 mL). This was stirred for 5-10 minutes and organic layer containing desired compound was separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with ethyl acetate (10 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (10 mL), dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered and the filtrate concentrated in vacuo to obtain a crude product. The crude product was purified by column chromatography using 250-400 mesh silica gel. A solvent gradient of ethyl acetate in hexanes (5-20%) was used to elute the product from the column. All fractions containing the desired pure product were combined and concentrated in vacuo to give pure chiral benzyl alkynol (370 mg, 84%). The structure was consistent with spectral data. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz) δ 0.84 (τ, 3H), 1.24-1.75 (m, 17H), 2.24-2.30 (m, 2H), 3.43-3.47 (m, 1H), 3.65-3.84 (m, 2H), 3.86-3.87 (m, 1H), 4.63-4.67 (m, 3 h), 4.95-4.97 (m, 2H), 5.21 (s, 2H), 5.60 (m, 1H), 5.95-6.04 (m, 1H), 6.70 (m, 1H), 7.18-7.36 (m, 8H).

Note 1: Completion of the reaction was monitored by thin layer chromatography (TLC) using a thin layer silica gel plate; eluent: 20% ethyl acetate in hexanes.

Additional Embodiments

1. A method of preparing a compound represented by the following structural formula:

comprising reacting a compound represented by the following structural formula:

with a compound represented by the following structural formula:

wherein:

-   -   P₁ is an alcohol protecting group;     -   R is —(CH₂)_(n)X;     -   X is H, phenyl, —CN, —OR₁ or COOR₁;     -   R₁ is an alkyl, THP, TBDMS or a unsubstituted or substituted         benzyl group; and     -   n is 1, 2 or 3.         2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein R is methyl.         3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein R is CH₂CO₂C₂H₅.         4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein R is CH₂CO₂CH₃.         5. The method of embodiment 1, wherein R is CH₂CO₂Bn.         6. The method of embodiment 1, wherein P₁ is tetrahydropyranyl         (THP).         7. The method of embodiment 1, wherein P₁ is         tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS), tertiarybutyldiphenylsilyl         (TBDPS), triethylsilyl (TES) or triphenylmethyl (trityl group).         8. The method of embodiment 7, wherein P₁ is         tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS).         9. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the reaction is carried         out in the presence of chiral inducing agent.         10. The method of embodiment 9, wherein the chiral inducing         ligand is (+)-N-methylephederin.         11. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the reaction is carried         out in the presence of a base and a zinc reagent.         12. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the base is         triethylamine.         13. The method of embodiment 12, wherein the zinc reagent is         zinc triflate.         14. A method of preparing a compound represented by the         following structural formula:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, comprising:

reacting a compound represented by structural formula (I):

with a compound represented by structural formula (a):

to form a compound represented by structural formula (A):

wherein:

-   -   P₁ is an alcohol protecting group;     -   R is —(CH₂)_(n)X;     -   X is H, phenyl, —CN, —OR₁ or COOR₁;     -   R₁ is an alkyl group, THP, TBDMS or a substituted or         unsubstituted benzyl group; and     -   n is 1, 2 or 3.         15. The method of embodiment 14, further comprising:     -   (1) reacting the compound of structural formula (A) with an         alcohol protecting group to form a compound represented by         structural formula (II):

-   -   (2) converting the compound of structural formula (II) to a         tricyclic compound represented by structural formula (III):

-   -   (3) hydrogenating the tricyclic compound of structural         formula (III) to form a hydrogenated tricyclic compound         represented by structural formula (IV):

-   -   (4) reacting the compound of structural formula (IV) with a         reducing agent to form a compound represented by structural         formula (V):

-   -   (5) deprotecting the compound of structural formula (V) to form         a compound represented by structural formula (VI):

-   -   (6) converting the compound represented by structural         formula (VI) to a compound represented by structural formula         (VII):

-   -   (7) reacting the compound represented by structural         formula (VII) with X₁(CH₂)_(m)CN to form a compound represented         by structural formula (VIII):

and

-   -   (8) hydrolyzing the compound of Structural Formula (VIII) to         form the compound represented by Structural Formula (IX),     -   wherein:         -   P₂ is an alcohol protecting group;         -   m is 1, 2 or 3; and         -   X₁ is a leaving group.             16. The method of embodiment 14, wherein R is methyl.             17. The method of embodiment 14, wherein R is CH₂CO₂C₂H₅.             18. The method of embodiment 14, wherein P₁ is             tetrahydrofuranyl (THP).             19. The method of embodiment 14, wherein the compound of             structural formula (IX) is tresprostinil represented by the             following structural formula:

20. The method of embodiment 14, wherein the reaction of the compound of structural formula (I) and the compound of structural formula (a) is carried out in the presence of a chiral inducing agent. 21. The method of embodiment 20, wherein the chiral inducing agent is (+)-N-methylephederin. 22. The method of embodiment 20, wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of a base and a zinc reagent. 23. The method of embodiment 22, wherein the base is triethylamine. 24. The method of embodiment 22, wherein the zinc reagent is zinc triflate. 25. The method of embodiment 15, wherein P₂ is tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS). 26. The method of embodiment 15, wherein for step (2), the compound of structural formula (II) is converted to the compound of structural formula (III) through a cobalt-mediated cyclization reaction. 27. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the cobalt-mediated cyclization reaction is carried out in the presence of Co₂(CO)₈. 28. The method of embodiment 15, wherein the hydrogenation reaction of step (3) is carried out in the presence of a base. 29. The method of embodiment 28, wherein the base is K₂CO₃. 30. The method of embodiment 15, wherein the reducing agent in step (4) is NaBH₄. 31. The method of embodiment 15, wherein for step (5), the compound of structural formula (V) is deprotected in the presence of an acid. 32. The method of embodiment 31, wherein the acid is TsOH. 33. The method of embodiment 15, wherein for step (6), the compound of structural formula (VI) is reacted with nBuLi and Ph₂PH. 34. The method of embodiment 15, wherein for step (7), X₁ is —Cl. 35. The method of embodiment 15, wherein for step (8), the compound of structural formula (VIII) is hydrolyzed in the presence of a base. 36. The method of embodiment 35, wherein the base is NaOH. 37. The method of embodiment 15, wherein the compound produced by the method is a sodium salt or a diethanolamine salt of treprostinil. 38. The method of embodiment 15, wherein R is (CH₂)_(m)CO₂R₁, wherein R₁ is an alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group. 39. The method embodiment 38, further comprising:

-   -   (a) reacting the compound of structural formula (A) with a         second alcohol protecting group to form a compound represented         by structural formula (4):

and

-   -   (b) converting the compound of structural formula (4) to a         tricyclic compound represented by structural formula (5):

40. The method of embodiment 39, wherein P₂ is tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS), tertiarybutyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS), triethylsilyl (TES) or triphenylmethyl (trityl group). 41. The method of embodiment 40, wherein P₂ is tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS). 42. The method of embodiment 39, wherein P₁ is tetrahydrofuranyl (THP), benzyl, 2,4-dinitrobenzyl, methoxymethyl (MOM), tertiarybutyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS), tertiarybutyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) or triethylsilyl (TES). 43. The method of embodiment 42, wherein P₁ is THP. 44. The method of embodiment 39, wherein m is 1. 45. The method of embodiment 39, wherein for the converting step (b), the compound of structural formula (4) is converted to the compound of structural formula (5) through a cobalt-mediated cyclization reaction. 46. The method of embodiment 45, wherein the cobalt-mediated cyclization reaction is carried out in the presence of Co₂(CO)₈. 47. The method of embodiment 39, wherein R₁ is an alkyl group and wherein the method further comprises: (c) hydrogenating the tricyclic compound of structural formula (5) to form a hydrogenated tricyclic compound represented by structural formula (6):

and (d) converting the hydrogenated tricyclic compound represented by structural formula (6) to a compound represented by structural formula (IX):

wherein said converting (d) accomplishes cleaving of the protective group P₁ and ester hydrolysis of R in a single pot. 48. The method of embodiment 47, wherein the hydrogenation reaction of step (c) is carried out in the presence of a base. 49. The method of embodiment 48, wherein the base is K₂CO₃. 50. The method of embodiment 47, wherein R₁ is straight or branched C1-C5 alkyl. 51. The method of embodiment 50, wherein R₁ is methyl. 52. The method of embodiment 39, wherein R₁ is a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl group and wherein the method further comprises:

-   -   (c′) hydrogenating the tricyclic compound of structural         formula (5) to form a hydrogenated tricyclic compound         represented by structural formula (6′):

and

-   -   (d′) converting the hydrogenated tricyclic compound represented         by structural formula (6′) to a compound represented by         structural formula (IX):

53. The method of embodiment 52, wherein the hydrogenation reaction of step (c) is carried out in the presence of a base. 54. The method of embodiment 53, wherein the base is K₂CO₃. 55. The method of embodiment 52, wherein R₁ is an unsubstituted benzyl group. 56. The method of embodiment 14, further comprising reacting compound represented by formula (1):

to form the compound represented by the structural formula

57. A compound of formula (1):

wherein R is (CH₂)_(m)CO₂R₁, m is 1, 2 or 3, and

-   -   R₁ is an alkyl group, THP, TBDMS or a substituted or         unsubstituted benzyl group.         58. The compound of embodiment 57, wherein m is 1.         59. The compound of embodiment 57, wherein R₁ is straight or         branched C1-C5 alkyl.         60. The compound of embodiment 59, where R₁ is methyl.         61. The compound of embodiment 57, wherein R₁ is unsubstituted         benzyl.         62. A compound represented by structural formula (A):

wherein:

-   -   P₁ is an alcohol protecting group;     -   wherein R is (CH₂)_(m)CO₂R₁, m is 1, 2 or 3, and     -   R₁ is an alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl         group.         63. The compound of embodiment 62, wherein m is 1.         64. The compound of embodiment 62, wherein R₁ is straight or         branched C1-C5 alkyl.         65. The compound of embodiment 64, where R₁ is methyl.         66. The compound of embodiment 62, wherein R₁ is unsubstituted         benzyl.         67. The compound of embodiment 62, wherein P₁ is         tetrahydrofuranyl (THP), benzyl, 2,4-dinitrobenzyl,         methoxymethyl (MOM), tertiarybutyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS),         tertiarybutyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) or triethylsilyl (TES).         68. The compound of embodiment 76, wherein P₁ is THP.         69. A compound represented by structural formula (4):

wherein:

-   -   each of P₁ and P₂ is an alcohol protecting group;     -   wherein R is (CH₂)_(m)CO₂R₁, m is 1, 2 or 3, and     -   R₁ is an alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl         group.         70. The compound of embodiment 69, wherein m is 1.         71. The compound of embodiment 69, wherein R₁ is straight or         branched C1-C5 alkyl.         72. The compound of embodiment 71, where R₁ is methyl.         73. The compound of embodiment 62, wherein R₁ is unsubstituted         benzyl.         74. The compound of embodiment 62, wherein P₂ is         tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS), tertiarybutyldiphenylsilyl         (TBDPS), triethylsilyl (TES) or triphenylmethyl (trityl group).         75. The compound of embodiment 67, wherein P₂ is         tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS).         76. The compound of embodiment 69, wherein P₁ is         tetrahydrofuranyl (THP), benzyl, 2,4-dinitrobenzyl,         methoxymethyl (MOM), tertiarybutyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS),         tertiarybutyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) or triethylsilyl (TES).         77. The compound of embodiment 76, wherein P₁ is THP.         78. A compound represented by structural formula (5):

wherein:

-   -   each of P₁ and P₂ is an alcohol protecting group;     -   wherein R is (CH₂)_(m)CO₂R₁, m is 1, 2 or 3, and     -   R₁ is an alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted benzyl         group.         79. The compound of embodiment 78, wherein m is 1.         80. The compound of embodiment 78, wherein R₁ is straight or         branched C1-C5 alkyl.         81. The compound of embodiment 80, where R₁ is methyl.         82. The compound of embodiment 78, wherein R₁ is unsubstituted         benzyl.         83. The compound of embodiment 78, wherein P₂ is         tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS), tertiarybutyldiphenylsilyl         (TBDPS), triethylsilyl (TES) or triphenylmethyl (trityl group).         84. The compound of embodiment 83, wherein P₂ is         tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS).         85. The compound of embodiment 78, wherein P₁ is         tetrahydrofuranyl (THP), benzyl, 2,4-dinitrobenzyl,         methoxymethyl (MOM), tertiarybutyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS),         tertiarybutyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) or triethylsilyl (TES).         86. The compound of embodiment 85, wherein P₁ is THP.         87. A compound represented by structural formula (6):

wherein:

-   -   P₁ is an alcohol protecting group;     -   wherein m is 1, 2 or 3, and     -   R₁ is an alkyl group, or hydrogen.         88. The compound of embodiment 87, wherein m is 1.         89. The compound of embodiment 87, wherein R₁ is straight or         branched C1-C5 alkyl.         90. The compound of embodiment 89, where R₁ is methyl.         91. The compound of embodiment 87, wherein R₁ is unsubstituted         benzyl.         92. The compound of embodiment 87, wherein P₁ is         tetrahydrofuranyl (THP), benzyl, 2,4-dinitrobenzyl,         methoxymethyl (MOM), tertiarybutyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS),         tertiarybutyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS) or triethylsilyl (TES).         93. The compound of embodiment 92, wherein P₁ is THP.

Although the foregoing refers to particular preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the present invention is not so limited. It will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments and that such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

All of the publications, patent applications and patents cited in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 

1. A process of preparing a substituted tricyclic enone compound useful in preparing treprostinil, the enone compound corresponding to formula:

wherein R is p-methoxybenzyl; and P₁, for each occurrence is independently an alcohol protecting group, which includes a step of subjecting an alkene-substituted, alkyne-substituted benzene corresponding to the formula:

wherein R and P₁ are defined above, to intramolecular cyclization with carbon monoxide.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the carbon monoxide for intramolecular cyclization is used in the form of a cobalt-carbon monoxide complex.
 3. The process of claim 2 wherein the alkene-substituted, alkyne-substituted benzene compound corresponding to the formula:

is prepared by reacting an alkene-substituted benzaldehyde corresponding to the formula:

with a substituted 1,2-alkyne corresponding to the formula:

wherein R and P₁ are defined in claim
 1. 4. The process of claim 3 wherein the alkene-substituted benzaldehyde is prepared by modified Claisen rearrangement of an O-allyl-substituted benzaldehyde of formula:

followed by protection of the resultant meta-phenolic group with a p-methoxybenzyl group.
 5. A process of preparing treprostinil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, of the formula:

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which comprises: (a) derivatizing m-hydroxybenzaldehyde with an allyl halide, to form an oxyalkene-substituted benzaldehyde of formula:

(b) subjecting the substituted oxyalkene-substituted benzaldehyde to Claisen rearrangement to form the m-hydroxy-substituted benzaldehyde of formula:

(c) protecting the m-hydroxy-substituted benzaldehyde with a p-methoxybenzyl, to form a protected benzaldehyde of formula:

wherein R is p-methoxybenzyl (d) reacting the protected benzaldehyde with a 5-oxy-substituted decan-1,2-yne of formula:

wherein P₁ is an alcohol protecting group, to yield the compound of formula:

wherein R and P₁ are defined above; (e) oxidizing the resulting compound to a ketone compound of:

wherein R and P₁ are defined above; (f) chirally reducing the ketone compound to a chiral alcohol compound of formula:

wherein R and P₁ are defined above; (g) protecting the chiral alcohol compound to yield a compound of formula:

wherein R is defined above, and P₁, for each occurrence is independently an alcohol protecting group; (h) intra-molecularly cyclizing the resulting compound to obtain a tricyclic enone compound of formula:

wherein R is defined above, and P₁, for each occurrence is independently an alcohol protecting group; (i) converting the tricyclic enone to a tricyclic hydroxyl compound of formula:

(j) alkylating the tricyclic hydroxyl compound to yield an alkylated compound of formula:

wherein Z a nitrile or CH₂COOR₁ group, wherein R₁ is an alkyl group; and (k) hydrolizing the alkylated compound to treprostinil, followed by optional conversion to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 6. The process of claim 5 including the additional, final step of converting the treprostinil so formed to its sodium salt.
 7. A substituted tricyclic enone compound useful in the synthesis pharmaceutically active prostacyclin derivatives, corresponding to the formula:

wherein R is p-methoxybenzyl; and P₁, for each occurrence is independently an alcohol protecting group.
 8. A substituted compound of formula:

wherein:

X is COH or R′ is P₁ or —H; and P₁, for each occurrence is independently an alcohol protecting group.
 9. A compound of claim 8, of the formula:


10. A compound of claim 8, of the formula:

wherein R is p-methoxybenzyl; and P₁ is an alcohol protecting group.
 11. A compound of claim 8, of the formula:

wherein R is p-methoxybenzyl; and P₁ for each occurrence is independently an alcohol protecting group. 